Jump Ship to Freedom

By Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier

"In 1787 a fourteen-year-old slave, anxious to buy freedom for himself and his mother, escapes from his dishonest master and tries to find help in cashing the soldier's notes received by his father for fighting in the Revolution." - HELM

Why was this book challenged?

Jump Ship to Freedom banned book element tile.

Banned book element tile

Reasons: Race, Violence

  • Jump Ship to Freedom by Christopher and James Lincoln Collier was challenged in 1993.

  • Worried the book would adversely impact the self esteem of sixth grade African American students, the Washington Post describes how parents and teachers from a Fairfax County elementary school sought to ban Jump Ship to Freedom due to it's use of explicit racial language and slavery-related violence.

  • Black-authored books have historically been targets for censorship, and modern-day banning efforts are targeting them as well. For more information, please see out Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Ways to read this book at STCC!

Members of the STCC community have full borrowing privileges at the STCC Library, located in Building 19, 2nd Floor, provided they are actively registered in the college system and their records are in good standing.

Database access and e-content is available to all students, faculty, and staff using the following credentials:

Username: STCC ID number

Password: Last name in capital letters.

Additional Resources and Accessibility

If you prefer to listen to your books, or if the print or eBook versions of this book are checked out at STCC, you have additional checkout options through Massachusetts public libraries. CW/MARS and Boston Public Library eCards will give you access to eBook and Audiobook versions of this book. You can also download the Libby app to listen to audiobooks on your smartphone. These resources are outside of STCC Library, please consult your local public library for any questions regarding these outside resources.

Check public libraries in Western Massachusetts via CW/MARS:

Residents of Massachusetts can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard, to access their digital materials such as eBooks and downloadable audiobooks. Follow the instructions on the BPL's website: